Shingle bundle load tool with hose/cord keeper

ABSTRACT

Roofing tool for shingle bundle stacking and plank walkway supports, comprising pairs of generally J-shaped jacks or support stands hinged at the upper ends which are draped over the roof ridge, providing J hooks on each side of the ridge line to hold shingle bundles, or support horizontal planks for walkways. The J-hook comprises a “foot” at a right angle to the leg, with a “toe” at a right angle to the foot. In the roof plank support, the toe includes a tip that extends back toward the leg. The foot may be reinforced by a brace between an extension of the leg and the outer end of the foot. A hose/cord minder, such as a snap hook or carabineer having a lateral closure member, is attached to the tool brace or foot to provide a keeper for pneumatic hoses, electrical cords, etc. A carry handle is an optional feature.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is the Regular U.S. Patent Application of prior Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/608,218 filed Sep. 9, 2004 by the same inventor under the same title, priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 US Code Section 119, 120ff, and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Field

The invention relates to the construction industry, and more particularly to roofing installation aids, namely shingle bundle load and roofer work stand tools for use in loading shingle bundles on a pitched roof and providing a walkway for the roofers during installation, which provide a keeper for safely managing pneumatic or electric nail gun hoses or cords so that they are orderly and secure; a handle for carrying and hanging-up the tools is an option.

BACKGROUND

In the installation of roofing shingles, the shingles are initially staged for use by “loading” the roof with shingle bundles, that is, stacking shingle bundles along the roof peak to provide a ready supply of shingles to the roofer at the work site on the roof. This method frees the workspace from obstruction by distribution of shingle bundle over the surface of the roof. Alternatively it obviates the need for a continuous stream of shingles being hand or mechanically lifted to the roof during installation.

During the process of installation, shingles are removed from the bundles staged along the roof peak. The first course of shingles is installed at the lowest edge of the roof, with each subsequent higher course overlapping the one below. By the time installation reaches the course along the roof peak, the stacked shingle bundle supply becomes exhausted. By using this routine, all of the shingles needed can be staged onto the roof at the outset, and the shingles are not in the way of the ongoing, upwardly advancing work.

As the first step in loading the roof with shingle bundles, current standard industrial practice entails nailing in place below the roof peak a 2″×4″ or 2″×6″ board, or “cleat”, on each side of and parallel to the peak at the proper distance to hold bundles of shingles lying flush against the roof on each side of the peak. The board is nailed flat, that is, with the wide dimension of the board parallel to the plane of the roof. In some cases, where the roof is large or tapered (wider at the bottom and narrower at the top), a first cleat board is nailed down, and a second one overlies and is nailed to the first to provide a higher shoulder to hold more bundles.

In a unionized construction industry environment, the roofer is required to coordinate with a carpenter for nailing the cleats in place. This requirement involves lost time, scheduling complications, and additional costs, typically on the order of $200 to $400 (or more), depending on the size and configuration of the work. In a non-union situation, the roofer might install the cleats himself, but to do so he needs additional equipment and supplies that otherwise he does not have need of or want.

In loading a roof with shingles, the cleats are first installed and the first shingle bundles placed against them flush on the roof. The upper edges of these two flush-lying bundles form two lines of support with the roof peak between them forming a third line of support for stacking an additional four (or more) shingle bundles. Ideally, these three lines of support lie in a horizontal plane with the roof peak lying midway between the bundle upper corners and about six inches from them. Thus, six shingle bundles, comprising two flush lying and four stacked bundles, are a compact cluster providing the roofer a readily available supply of shingles during roofing installation. When the upwardly advancing work reaches the level of the cleat, the supply of shingles is sufficiently reduced that the cleat can be removed with minimal shifting of any remaining shingle bundles.

For installation of shingles, roofers use a pneumatic hammer or roofing nail or staple driver (“gun”) driven by compressed air supplied through a flexible hose from a compressor on the ground. Electric staple or nail guns are also available. The roofer, while performing his work, constantly bears the weight of the long hose and must manage it so the hose does not slide down the roof slope dragging him or his pneumatic hammer with it, resulting in both hose and hammer falling from the roof to the ground. Similarly, if the hammer should be inadvertently dropped, the hammer pulls the hose with it, both falling to the ground. The falling hose and/or hammer can damage windows, siding, vehicles, and workers below.

For some installations, e.g., in the case of steep pitched roofs, roofers install walk-ways comprising a pair or more of brackets to which is nailed a 2×6, 2×8, or 2×10 plank that is parallel to the ground. This gives the roofer a platform on which to stand or kneel for the work being done, and optionally to place tools, buckets and roofing materials supplies. The union installation rules apply to the mounting of these brackets and planks.

Currently there are a number of companies that provide metal brackets, called “roof jacks” (for shingle bundles) and “roof support stands” for walkway scaffolding. These jacks and stands are single, generally J-shaped brackets the long stem of which are nailed to the roof through round nail holes, keyholes or slots terminating in offset holes. For holding shingles, a typical jack has a capacity of 250# for 4/12 to 6/12 pitch roofs with a maximum of 8′ spacing. The foot projects 90° from the stem, and is typically 6″ high to hold a 2×6 so the shingle bundles can be laid against the plank. Also offered commercially are 10″×45° fixed roofer support stands for use on 12/2 pitch roofs. These have a capacity of one roofer plus 40# materials per 8′ of scaffolding. Both the roof jacks and the support stands are to be nailed through the roof sheeting and the roofing paper into the rafters with three 20-penny nails. Upon completion of use, that is, having to move higher up the roof, the brackets must be moved and the nails removed. Rarely, if ever are the 20 d nail holes through the roofing felt or tar paper ever caulked. Some of these jacks and supports include a reinforcing brace below the jack foot or the scaffold support arm.

Such single unit jacks and 45° scaffold walkway brackets are available, for example, from: Acro Building Systems, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. 53209; Qual-Craft Industries, Inc., Stoughton, Mass. 02072; and Midwest Air Technologies, Inc., Lincolnshire, Ill. 60069. None of them include a hose or electrical cord minder or a carry handle, and all are single units requiring nailing to the roof rafters.

Accordingly, there are unmet needs in the field of roofing installation including providing tools that: (1) eliminate the need to coordinate with a carpenter to install roof bundle cleats and roofer support stands thereby saving time and money; (2) relieve the roofer from the need to have additional supplies and equipment to install roof bundle cleats and stands himself in order to save cost, and burdensome handling of extraneous equipment and tools; (3) improve safety and reduce liability insurance costs; (4) eliminate nailing through roof sheeting and waterproof overlayment; and, (5) Facilitate the roofer's work by providing him with a better and safer means of hose and hammer management, relieving him of bearing the weight of the hose and preventing the hose and pneumatic hammer from falling off the roof.

THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION, INCLUDING OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

This invention is directed to a tool for both shingle bundle stacking and for support stands, comprising pairs of generally J-shaped jacks or support stands that are hinged at the upper ends of the stem of the J so that they straddle the roof peak to support a pair of shingle bundles lying flush on the roof, below and on each side of the roof peak, or support a horizontal plank for a walkway on each side of the roof peak. In the shingle bundle tool embodiment, the stem of the J brackets is selected of a length so that the upper edges of the bundles on each side are parallel to the roof ridge line or peak and, preferably, lie in a substantially horizontal plane with it to provide three lines of support for stacking additional shingle bundles thereon.

The inventive shingle bundle load tool comprises a pair of similar flat steel or strong composite “legs” hinged together at one end and having J-hooks at the ends opposite the hinge. The J-hook comprises a “foot” at a right angle to the leg, with a “toe” at a right angle to the foot at the foot's outer end. The toe is generally parallel to and spaced on the order of 4″ to 12″ from it depending on the length of the foot. The hinged, double J-hook tool is draped over the roof ridge or peak at the hinge, providing J hooks on each side of the ridge line to support flush-laid shingle bundles.

Optionally, and in the case of the roof plank support stand, the toe includes a tip that extends back toward the leg, that is, parallel to the foot. This tip is spaced 1 11/16 or more from the foot to accommodate the dimensions of a standard 2×4″-2×12″ plank, that is, slightly greater than the nominal 1⅝″ thickness of standard lumber.

When the tools are in use, two tools are placed on the roof ridge about 20 to 24 inches apart with one leg of each tool resting on one side of the peak, and the other leg resting on the opposite side. One shingle bundle is positioned with its face lying on the roof and the tool legs inset from each end of the bundle. The lower edge of the bundle is supported by the feet and restrained by the toes of each tool J-hook. A second shingle bundle is placed in like manner on the opposite side of the roof peak. The third bundle is placed flat on the upper edges of these two bundles and the roof peak lying between them. The fourth, fifth and sixth bundles (or more) are placed flat on the third bundle, resulting in a stack of six, or more, shingle bundles.

In the alternative, and preferred mode of use, two tools are placed about 8′ apart along the ridge, and a plank about 10′ long is placed against and retained by the foot and toe. That is, the board is oriented normal to the roof face. A plurality of bundles are then placed end to end along the plank in the normal orientation, a 10′ long plank accommodating 3 bundles in a row. The plank can range in width from a 2×4″ to a 2×12″ board, depending on the size of the tool (length of the foot) and the rated carrying capacity. Two or more bundles can be stacked parallel to the roof surface, that is one on top the other for the larger tools. This increases the stacking capacity for large roofs.

In the preferred embodiment of the jack, the foot is reinforced, to increase the weight capacity of the tool, and provide additional surface area and/or holes for connecting air hose. In this embodiment, the foot is reinforced, preferably from below by an extension of the leg below the juncture with the foot, which extension is bent to form a diagonal brace from the leg extension to the foot adjacent the toe. Thus, the J-hook can form the reinforcing brace and the foot may be an intermediate piece oriented normal to the leg and extending to form the turned-back toe. The foot and or brace may be riveted or welded together to form the tool. The hinge can be welded to the leg or be formed integral by curling the end of the leg to form a hinge-pin passage. The bracing extension can also include an additional center bracing piece, so the extension is an inverted T-shape in cross section.

A keeper device, such as a hole(s) in the brace(s), ring(s), spring-biased snap hook(s) or snap ring(s) having lateral closure members, spring-biased D-ring(s) or carabineer(s), or spring-biased retractable latch, is an integral part of the tool and is attached to the tool brace, foot, or toe to provide a tethering point for pneumatic hoses, electrical cords, or other cords or ropes.

A carry handle device is an optional feature of the tool to facilitate its handling. For example, a snap hook may be used to secure the two hose keepers together, thereby retaining the tool in a folded position and providing a means of fastening the tool to a belt loop for carrying the tool up to the roof with hands free. A carry handle with loops at each end can be secured to each keeper, so that the tool can be carried with the brace/foot end up, the leg/hinge down. This is easily done one-handed where the keepers include any spring biased lateral closure member. Indeed, then the handle itself can be hooked to a suitable spring-type D-ring or carabineer on the roofer's belt for ascending/descending to/from the roof, or to a similar ring or hook at a storage place.

In a first exemplary embodiment of the invention intended for use with composition shingles, the shingle load tool is made of mild steel strap two inches wide by ⅛″ thick, with the legs being 17″ long, the feet 4″-6″ long and the toes 1″ to 1-⅝+″ long, and the optional tip on the order of ¾″ long. This embodiment is suitable for loading (without use of a plank) stacks of 6-8 bundles of composition shingles, each bundle being about 39.5 inches long, 13″ wide, and 2.5 inches thick and weighing about 80 pounds depending on the quality (“weight”).

Alternative embodiments of the invention include variations in materials, design and fabrication of the tool, and differences in the mode of use of the tools. For example, while mild steel is preferred for everyday general use, stainless steel or heavy gauge aircraft quality aluminum, or titanium can be used. Differences in design and fabrication include tools with adjustable leg length, use of material such as nylon, polypropylene or other polymer web instead of steel for a portion of the tool leg, and tool feet of longer length enabling the stacking of two bundles on the tool leg or use of planks. Another alternative embodiment is a “single-legged”, not-hinged, extension tool designed for fastening to the feet of a pair of “two-legged” tools, thereby providing two parallel rows of feet on one or both sides of the ridge line as shingle load sites instead of one row.

In the support stand embodiment, which carries a plank oriented approximately 45° to the roof surface and generally parallel to the ground, the foot, toe, tip and brace are generally the same, except that the foot is not oriented normal to the leg, but is in the range of 120°±30°, typically at about 135°, and leg may be substantially longer so that the walkway is lower down the roof. These tools are not only useful for roofers, but also for masons building chimneys that extend above the ridge line. In the embodiment where the walkway is considerably below the ridge line the two legs may be secured to each other by strong industrial webbing, typically of a high-strength polymer of the type used as tow or load-securing strapping. Thus, the flat web may be on the order of 2″-3″ wide, ¼″ to ¾″ thick and 10′-30′ long, so that the walkway planks can be placed from 5′ to 15′ or more down from the ridge. The webs can include take-up hardware, such as a locking ratchet, winch or cambuckle tie-down strap, so that the length of the web can be adjusted. Thus, the walkway can be “inched” up the roof simply by taking up excess strap, much as a load is cinched with retaining strapping.

In an important combination of the inventive tool embodiments, an extension in the form of a support stand tool can be hooked over the foot of a single bundle load tool so that, when paired and laterally spaced, a plank can be laid on the support stand, and this support stand is disposed below the shingle bundle load. This permits working in the space above the support stand and below the loaded shingle bundles, or to one side and/or the other. By this arrangement, a walkway can be “suspended” between loads of shingle bundles at each end of a roof line.

The inventive tool, in contrast to current industrial standard practice of nailing individual jacks or support stands to the roof has the following exemplary advantages and objects:

1. It eliminates the need to carefully measure and nail wood cleats or jacks in place to support flush-lying shingle bundles that form the base of the stack of staged shingles at the roof ridge;

2. It eliminates the need to coordinate with one or more other trades, such as carpenters, thereby eliminating schedule problems, and saving time and cost;

3. It permits the roofer to increase the capacity of the number of bundles that can be loaded by use of planks and widely spaced tools; in many cases bundles now do not have to be stacked across the ridge line (high stacks can be blown off by wind);

4. Using the tool accurately locates the flush-lying support bundles in proper position, without the need for measurement or leveling and results in proper formation of the three lines of support for stacking additional bundles;

5. The tool provides an aid for pneumatic hose or electric power cord management making the roofer's task easier and contributes to increased safety, reducing the likelihood of injuries or damage to construction below (e.g. workmen, windows, etc.);

6. The shingle bundle stacking tool incorporates a device for ease of carrying or transporting, such as for attachment to a belt loop, or for attaching a line or handle for hoisting;

7. In the support stand embodiment it is useful to a number of trades and variations include provisions for adjustability to inch the walkway up the roof; and

8. In all uses of all embodiments, it is a significant time saver; no measurement is required and no mis-orientation can occur.

Still other objects and advantages will be evident to those skilled in the art upon analysis and reflection on the inventive hinged double-jack shingle bundle loading tool and support stand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 a and b are isometric views showing the current industry standard (prior art) shingle bundle stacking methods, FIG. 1 a showing a nailed wooden cleat, and FIG. 1 b showing a standard single jack;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing a pair of the inventive hinged shingle bundle load tools in place on a roof ridge ready for use;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a pair of the inventive shingle bundle load tools in place on a roof ridge loaded with a stack of six shingle bundles;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the inventive tool draped over a roof ridge and loaded with six shingle bundles loaded in the traditional stacking array;

FIG. 5 a is an isometric view showing features of the presently preferred embodiment of the inventive shingle bundle load tool with integral hinges and reinforcing braces, and including optional nailing slots and toe tips to hold a plank;

FIG. 5 b is an isometric view of an alternative hinge embodiment and an optional shaped nail hole;

FIGS. 5 c-e are exemplary profiles for the location of the spring-type D-ring or carabineer hose/cord minder on the inventive hinged shingle bundle load tool and support stand;

FIGS. 6 a-6 d are isometric views showing four embodiments of the optional but preferred hose and cord-minder feature of the inventive shingle bundle load tool, in which FIG. 6 a shows a generally circular ring welded to the outside of the foot, FIG. 6 b shows a spring-biased D-ring or carabineer, FIG. 6 c shows a spring clip having a spring steel lateral closure member, and FIG. 6 d shows a large hole bored into a portion of the brace;

FIG. 7 is a cross section of a roof on which the inventive hinged support brackets are placed and planks mounted thereon for walkways;

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are isometric views of alternate implementations for lengthening the leg of the inventive tool, in which FIG. 8 a shows an inter-fitting tongue and ratchet assembly, and FIG. 8 b shows use of a strap;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the optional carry handle secured to the hose minder rings;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view showing the preferred use of a board retained by the tool foot, toe and tip so that the tools can be more widely spaced to increase load capacity; and

FIGS. 11 a-11 e are isometric views of four alternatives for a shingle bundle load tool extender that can be hooked over the foot of each leg of the hinged tool to establish a second, lower stacking or support row on a roof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING THE BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example, not by way of limitation of the scope, equivalents or principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best modes of carrying out the invention.

In this regard, the invention is illustrated in the several figures, and is of sufficient complexity that the many parts, interrelationships, and sub-combinations thereof simply cannot be fully illustrated in a single patent-type drawing. For clarity and conciseness, several of the drawings show in schematic, or omit, parts that are not essential in that drawing to a description of a particular feature, aspect or principle of the invention being disclosed. Thus, the best mode embodiment of one feature may be shown in one drawing, and the best mode of another feature will be called out in another drawing.

All publications, patents and applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent or application had been expressly stated to be incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 a shows the current standard (prior art) roofing trade practice, that the inventive tool (not shown) supercedes, for loading composition shingles onto a roof 10 with one shingle bundle 14 lying flush against the roof and being held by a wood cleat 12, typically a 2×4, and with four additional shingle bundles 15 stacked above. FIG. 1 b shows commercially available single roof jacks 13 made of steel, nailed to the roof 10 by three 20 d nails 71. Some jacks have angle slots, reinforced J-shaped feet and/or the feet are long enough to retain a 2×6 plank. None known have hinges or hose minders.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a pair of inventive shingle bundle load tools 16, 16′ fitted over a roof ridge 11 ready for use. Each comprises a pair of jack members 17, each of which has a half-hinge 24 at the upper end. The two members are connected together with a hinge pin 25 (see FIGS. 4, 5 a and 5 b). Together the pair of hinge-connected jack members 17, 17′ comprises the inventive tool 16, 16′. As shown, the felt paper has been tacked down on a roof 10 on which composition shingles are to be installed. Each tool 16, 16′ comprises a pair of tool legs 18, 18′ each of which has a foot 20, a toe 22, and a hinge 24 connecting opposed legs. In this single, flush-laid bundle embodiment, the tool leg is on the order of 17″ long, the foot about 3.5 inches long, and the toe approximately 2 inches long. The tool is preferably made of 2-inch wide by ⅛″ (nominal, or 7/64″) thick mild steel throughout. The leg, foot and toe together comprise a J-shaped bundle retainer assembly called a J-hook or jack. Together the two jacks hinged together at the top make a tool.

A hose/cable minder 26 is an optional but preferred part of the inventive tool and is shown as a snap hook and ring secured to the foot by a ring or triangle welded to the foot. See also FIGS. 3, 4, 5 a and 6 a-6 d.

Note, also that the optional nail holes 19 a (or alternate embodiments 19 b and 19 c in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b) may be provided in the strap leg 18. This permits the tool to be nailed to the roof in cases of very steep pitch, windy, or slippery conditions, or on a gambrel type roof at the hip ridge line. Alternatively one or more of the holes 19, or an additional hole somewhat larger if desired, can be used to hang the tool for storage on a nail in the shop.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the pair of shingle bundle loading tools 16, 16′ in use. The feet 20 and the toes 22 comprising the J-hook engage the edge of the bundles 14 lying flush on each side of the ridge 11 against the tool legs 18 and the roof 10, with an additional four composition shingle bundles 15 stacked on the upper edges of the flush-lying bundles. FIG. 3 also shows a nail gun 28, with its air hose 30 threaded through the ring 27 of the hose keeper assembly 26.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a roof 10 loaded in the preferred manner with six shingle bundles 14 using the inventive shingle bundle load tool 16, the parts numbering being the same as in FIGS. 2 and 3. The dashed lines show a second pair of bundles 14, 14′ retained by the J-hooks overlying the first pair 14, 14 for a total of eight bundles. In addition, the J-hook portion of the jack 17 on the right is shown with a tip 29 turned inwardly toward the leg 18 to hold a plank 92. This alternative is discussed below in more detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 5 a is an isometric view of the presently preferred embodiment of the inventive shingle bundle load tool 16, its legs 18, feet 20, toes 22, hinge 24, one hose keeper assembly 26, and nailing slots 19 c. The in-turned tip 29 for retaining a plank (not shown) is also illustrated on the right side half-hinged jack member 17′. The hinge end of the shingle load tool legs 18 of each jack 17 are preferably connected by a hinge 24 formed by shaping (curling) the ends of the two legs, fitting them together, and installing a hinge pin 25. Also shown in FIG. 5 a, the nail slots 19 c are keyhole shaped and slotted, with the slots pointed downwardly at an acute angle so that the tool is removed from the roof simply by tapping it upward and to one side with a hammer, here to the right of the figure. The brace 54 can include a reinforcing, centered rib 57. A pass-through 59 between foot 22 and brace rib 57 may be used as an alternative to hole 56 as a hose/cord minder.

FIG. 5 b shows an alternate embodiment in which a pre-constructed hinge assembly 24 a is welded to the upper ends of legs 18 of each jack member 17, 17′, which are each cut transverse to their length. Alternatively, the hinge 24 can be fastened with screws 35 to the upper end of the legs 18 of each jack 17, 17′. Also shown is a teardrop nail hole 19 b, wherein the tool can be nailed through the narrow end and the tool is lifted off by tapping the jack upward toward the roof peak with the nail head slipping out the enlarged end.

FIG. 5 c-e show three different profiles of roof shingle bundle load 16 and support stand 17 tools, with spring-type D-rings 32 in various exemplary locations, typically on the reinforceing brace 54, out of the way of the foot 20, toe 22 and toe tip piece 29.

FIGS. 6 a-6 d show four different embodiments of the hose/cord keeper assembly 26. FIG. 6 a shows a generally triangular shaped ring 27, welded to foot 20. The ring 27 can be any suitable shape: circular, D-shaped, triangular, etc. In FIG. 6 b, the hose keeper assembly 26 comprises a generally D-shaped snap ring or carabineer 27 with a spring biased latch which pivots open at its upper end to receive the air hose laterally, rather than being threaded longitudinally. In this embodiment, the keeper assembly is much simplified. Instead of the triangular ring welded to the foot, or a snap and ring, a D-snap ring 27 is welded directly the foot to be an integral art of it. The pivot is shown at 52. In an alternative, a latching ring, (e.g. D-ring or carabineer) can be threaded on the hose, or secured to it, and that D-ring snapped onto a fixed ring welded to the foot or toe as in FIG. 6 a. FIG. 6 c shows a snap hook (welded 34 to the bottom of the foot 20 or threaded or riveted through a hole drilled in foot 20) and ring through which the hose 30 is threaded. FIG. 6 d shows reinforcing brace 54 with hole 56 used as a keeper through which to thread hose 30. Alternately, the hose or cord can be threaded through the gap between the bottom plate 55 of the brace 54.

It should be understood that the preferred hose/cord minder involves a simple clip-on system as in FIGS. 6 b and 6 c rather than the “thread-through” type structure of FIGS. 6 a and 6 d, as the former permits fast clipping and unclipping rather than having to thread a substantial length of cord, hose, rope, etc through a ring or space.

FIG. 7 shows a roof support stand comprising a pair of jack members 17 hinged together at their upper ends, and having a foot 20 inclined at 135° to the leg 18. The foot terminates in a toe 22 and an in-turned tip 29 to secure the plank 72 in place as a walkway. The foot 20 is braced at 54, 57. The equilateral positioning of the walkway planks 72, 72′ permit the tradesman easy access to both sides of the chimney 75 during construction.

FIGS. 8 a and b show alternative adjustable implementations of the shingle bundle load tool. FIG. 8 a shows one embodiment of adjusting leg length by use of a 2-part leg, with an “tongue” portion 41 having serrated teeth that engage mating ratchet stops 44 in the leg 18; in this embodiment the mating teeth and ratchets are spaced one inch apart. The leg can be extended in one inch increments for wider bundles. FIG. 8 b shows a bundle stacking tool using a nylon, polypropylene or other tough polymeric webbing strap 40 in lieu of a metal leg. In this implementation the toe 22 and foot 20 configuration is similar to those of the all-metal tool embodiments shown above, and can include reinforcing brace members 54, 57 as needed, as well as hose/cord minders 26 (not shown in this figure for clarity). The ankle portion 42 provides rigidity and the securing point for the nylon webbing, which is secured to the ankle by rivets 45. To the right are shown the opposed J-hook members 20′, 22′ and 42′ which are placed on the other side of the roof by draping the webbing 40 over the ridge.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a carrying device. FIG. 9 shows carrying device comprising a flexible strap 23 that includes metal snap rings at each end that can be hooked to the rings 27 on each foot 20 for use as a carrying handle or to hang the tool on a nail or hook in a storage area. In the alternative, the parts can be reversed, with rings at the end of the strap 23 and they engage D-rings or carabineers of the type shown in FIG. 6 b or 6 c. The snap hook or rings at the ends of handle 23 can be large enough to be connected to all four of the hose keepers 26 of a pair of tools for carrying the tool pair in a hinge-down orientation. Where the strap is too flexible for the weight of a plurality of tools, in the alternative a metal, plastic or composite U-shaped handle with ring or carabineer fittings secured to each end can be used as a carrying handle.

FIG. 10 shows the preferred method of roof loading; using two of the inventive shingle bundle load tools 16, 16′ spaced on the order of 8′ apart, and retaining a 2″×6″ board 44 to support twenty shingle bundles 14, rather than using two pairs of the tools. In this method a “double” length foot, that is, a nominal 7″ foot (6-⅞″), receives the 2″×6″ to provide continuous support. Note that the 2″×6″ is not flush to the roof and is not nailed to the roof. As shown in dashed lines, where the roof is long, a third tool 16″ may be used intermediate the ends. In that case, the board 44 is on the order of 16′-18′ long and six pairs of bundles can be flush laid against the roof, supported by the plank, end to end, yet only three tools are required. The total loading, both sides of the roof and four high on top would be 48 bundles.

FIG. 11 a-d shows four variations of single-legged extension (shingle bundle load) tools 46, and FIG. 11 e shows the combination of a single-legged extension of a support stand and a hinged load tool of the invention. These have the purpose of establishing a second bundle load row (or supported walkway) further down the roof than the first or “upper” site established by the tool described heretofore and shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10. The extension tools are temporarily connected to (hooked onto) and used with the inventive tools, the tool of FIGS. 5 a, 6 d and 7 being taken as exemplary.

Each of the four extension tools in FIG. 11 a-11 d have an identical foot 20 and toe 22, for example, identical to the foot and toe of the FIG. 5 a tool, but shown for simplicity's sake as a single bundle length foot and with no brace or hose/cord minder assembly. The legs 18 of the extension tools a, b, c and d differ in that each uses a different method of fastening to a FIG. 5 a-type tool. In use, a pair of tools can be placed over a roof peak as in FIGS. 2, 5 a, 7 or 10 to establish shingle load sites approximately 17″ below the roof peak as previously described. Then, pairs of inventive single legged extension tools of FIG. 11 a-11 d are simply hooked over the foot of the upper tools to create the second, “lower” load sites on each side of the roof peak. In the case of the FIG. 11 b embodiment, the hook engages the brace, not the foot.

The extension tool of FIG. 11 a has a rectangular ring 47 at the end of the leg opposite the foot. The width of the rectangular ring is somewhat more than the width of the load tools to facilitate placing over the toe and foot from which it hangs. In fastening the FIG. 11 a tool to the FIG. 5 tool, the toe 22 and foot 20 of the FIG. 5 a tool is passed through the opening of the rectangular ring 47 or/and through relieved portion 58 and both the FIG. 5 a tool and the FIG. 11 a tool are placed on the roof ready for loading. The FIG. 11 a tool leg 18 may be any length, but typically is about five feet.

The FIG. 11 b extension tool has a horizontal C-shaped hook 48, formed integrally with the leg, which allows it to be slipped into place by hooking it from the side through pass through 59 onto the foot brace 54 of the FIG. 5 a tool. The notch 49 engages rib 57, and the top end 51 of the hook 48 engages the underside of the foot 20 for a no-sway interlock of the extension with the tool. A corresponding notch can be cut into the rib 57 (not shown) for a more positive fit.

The FIG. 11 c extension tool leg has two rectangular slots 47 cut through the leg and is intended to be used with a FIG. 5 a tool, modified by the cutting of similar rectangular slots in its legs. To attach the extension tool to the modified FIG. 5 tool, nylon strapping 40 is threaded through the four slots in the non-slip manner shown. Keepers 49, e.g., non-slip toothed retainers, tighten the overlapped strapping to provide additional security against slippage. Alternatively, the end of strap 40 at the extension is a closed (sewn, glued, RF or heat fused, interwoven or riveted) loop, and closure buckling is used at the upper end to secure it to the upper tool leg. In another embodiment, a wide ring (such as ring 50 of FIG. 11 d) may be welded to the foot 20 at the juncture of the leg 18 (at an upward angle to permit threading the strap under the forwared portion of the ring) and the strap 40 threaded through it as shown in FIG. 11 c. This arrangement provides an extension tool with length determined by the length of the strap, permitting the second load site to be an adjustable distance below the first site.

The FIG. 11 d extension tool embodiment has a nylon web strap riveted to a short leg 18 (or ankle portion like 42 in FIG. 8 b) near the foot. The opposite end of the strap is looped and sewn onto a rectangular metal loop 50 which is used in a manner similar to the rectangular ring 47 described in FIG. 11 a. In the alternative, a set of two or three small, upturned J-shaped hooks can be welded to the bottom of foot 20 or bracket 54, and the ring 50 hooked over those hooks.

FIG. 11 e is a side elevation showing the connection of a single support stand bracket 17 hooked to a tool 16 to provide a walkway 72 at a lower level than the shingle bundles loaded onto the tool. The connections may be as in FIGS. 11 a-11 e, and the parts of the support stand are as shown in FIG. 7.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

It is clear that the inventive hinged shingle bundle load tool with hose/cord minder of this invention, and the many variations including the single extension brackets, have wide applicability to the roofing industry, namely to simplify loading and staging shingles onto a roof, and to improve management of compressed air hoses and electrical cords, increasing safety and decreasing distraction from the main work. The system clearly reduces cost, is faster to install (just drape it over the ridge line) and increases efficiency in the roofing process by eliminating the need to coordinate with other trades or the need to have tools and equipment extraneous to the main job at hand, namely installing shingles. Thus, the invention has the clear potential of becoming adopted as the new standard for apparatus and methods of staging shingles on roofs and managing compressed air hoses.

It should be understood that various modifications within the scope of this invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit thereof and without undue experimentation. For example, the tool leg, foot and toe and the hose keeper can have a wide range of designs to provide the functionalities disclosed herein. Various leg lengths and angles of the foot member with respect to the leg (in the case of the support stand) may be provided to accommodate a large range of roof pitch. One skilled in the art will readily understand that two or more sets of tools with various leg or/and foot lengths can be offered to the trade for shingles of different width, or a tool with a foot adjustable in length can be made. The three lines of support formed by the flush lying bundles and the roof peak ideally would all lie in a horizontal lane; however, in working with composition shingles the shingle bundles are quite flexible and the supporting lines can vary from a perfectly horizontal plane by a substantial amount. Material used for manufacture of the tools is not critical and can be any heavy duty, tough service steel, aluminum, fiberglass, nylon, or other strong, heavy service capacity polymer, co- or ter-polymers or laminates, for example. The hose/cord-minder feature can be implemented in any suitable manner including reversal of parts, alternate types of tethers, and the like. The important feature is that as a preferred option the tools of this invention include a hose/cord minder. The carrying feature also can be implemented in a variety of ways other than those described.

The principles of the roof loading tool described are applicable not only to composition shingles as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, but also to cedar shingles, cedar shakes, aluminum shingles, steel shingles, copper shingles, galvanized shingles, ceramic clay, slate, cement, and cement-composite shingles, fiberglass, wood plastic composites, polymer and resin composites, and the like. One skilled in the art can easily alter the dimensions of the inventive load tool to accommodate shingles and tiles of the entire range of roofing products currently available and which in the future will be offered, and the concepts and principles of the inventive tool can readily be adapted to these or other materials. For example, one useful size of the inventive shingle bundle load tool employs a pair of tools spaced 8′-10′ apart using a 2×8′ plank as a retainer or curb, the leg of which measures 15½″ long from the hinge to the 8″ long foot. A brace (typically extending an additional 3-4″ down the leg past the foot) of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is preferred, and the hose/cord can be retained by threading through pass-through gap 59.

This invention is therefore to be defined by the scope of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit, and in view of the specification if need be, including a full range of current and future equivalents thereof.

PARTS LIST to assist examination; may be canceled upon allowance at option of Examiner. 10 Roof 11 Ridge of roof 12 Cleat (nailed to roof) 13 Single roof jack 14 Shingle bundles - flat 15 Shingle bundles - stacked 16, 16′, 16″ Shingle Bundle Load Tool 17, 17′ Half-hinged jack 18 Leg 19a Nail hole; 19b Keyhole nail hole; 19c Nail slot 20 Foot 22 Toe 23 Carrying device 24 Hinge 25 Hinge pin 26 Hose/cord minder assembly 27 Hose retainer ring 28 Pneumatic hammer 29 Tip of toe 30 Compressed air hose 32 Ring or triangle for hose keeper assembly 34 Weld 35 Screws 36 Spring section 38 Second Flush lying bundle 40 Foot/toe assembly 41 Tongue 42 Ankle 43 Ratchet stops 44 Support board 45 Rivet 46 Extension Shingle Bundle Load Tool 47 Rectangular ring 48 Hook 49 Notch 50 Rectangular metal loop 52 Snap point 51 Top of hook 54 Reinforcing Brace 55 Bottom of Brace 56 Hole in reinforcing brace 57 Brace rib 58 Relieved portion to form hook 59 Pass through between foot and brace rib 60 Keeper 62 64 66 68 71 Nails 72 Walkway plank 75 Chimney 

1. An improved roofer's tool for shingle bundle retention and walkways comprising: a) a first pair of J-shaped jacks having a longitudinally extending leg portion with a first free end and a foot assembly disposed adjacent a second end; b) a hinge connecting the free end of said leg portions of said jacks; c) said foot assembly is configured to retain at least one of a shingle bundle edge or a board to form a retaining edge for shingle bundles or a worker's walkway; and d) said tool is deployed on a roof by placing said hinge at a roof ridge with each jack disposed on opposite roof sides thereof.
 2. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 1 wherein said foot assembly includes at least one flat, strap-shaped member disposed to extend at an angle selected in the range of about 120°±about 30° from said leg portion.
 3. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 2 wherein said foot assembly includes a short toe portion extending parallel to and spaced from said leg portion to form a retaining lip for said bundle or board.
 4. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 3 wherein said foot assembly toe includes an in-turned short tip that provides a catch for retaining a board disposed in engagement with said strap-shaped member.
 5. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 4 wherein said foot assembly has a length selected from about 4″ to about 12″ to retain a board ranging in size from a 2×4 to a 2×12.
 6. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 1 which includes a ring or snap-type hose/cord keeper secured to each said foot assembly.
 7. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 6 wherein said keeper includes a spring-biased segment to provide quick connect and disconnect of a hose or cord.
 8. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 2 wherein said foot assembly includes a brace member extending below said strap-shaped member at the juncture of said strap-shaped member and said leg, and extending from between that juncture to from a medial to a distal portion of said strap-shaped member, so that said strap-shaped member forms a foot piece for engaging and supporting said bundle or said board, and said brace member supports said foot piece.
 9. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 8 which includes a ring or snap-type hose/cord keeper secured to each said brace.
 10. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 1 wherein said leg portion includes a plurality of nail retaining elements selected from round holes, key holes and slotted holes, and said nail retaining elements are disposed between said hinge and said foot assembly.
 11. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 6 which includes a handle assembly that includes rings or snap-type clips to engage said hose/cord keepers on each said jack.
 12. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 5 wherein said foot is oriented at substantially 90° to said leg to permit retaining shingle bundles.
 13. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 5 wherein said foot is oriented at an angle greater than 90° to said leg to permit supporting and retaining a board as a walkway.
 14. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 1 which includes: a) at least one additional J-shaped jack having a longitudinally extending leg portion with a first free end and a foot assembly disposed adjacent a second end; b) a connector attached adjacent the free end of said leg portion of said jack adapted to engage one of said jacks forming said first pair of jacks; c) said foot assembly is configured to retain at least one of a shingle bundle edge or a board to form a retaining edge for shingle bundles or a worker's walkway; and d) said additional jack is deployed as an extension of said first pair of hinge-connected jacks by engaging a jack of said first pair to extend below the foot of said first jack to provide a lower, second level of shingle bundle or walkway support.
 15. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 14 wherein said engagement adaptation is selected from a ring, a hook and a strap member.
 16. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 15 wherein said strap is adjustable.
 17. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 15 wherein said foot assembly includes at least one flat, strap-shaped member disposed to extend at an angle selected in the range of about, 120°±about 30° from said leg portion.
 18. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 17 wherein said foot assembly includes a short toe portion extending parallel to and spaced from said leg portion to form a retaining lip for said bundle or board.
 19. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 18 wherein said foot assembly toe includes an in-turned short tip that provides a catch for retaining a board disposed in engagement with said strap-shaped member.
 20. An improved roofer's tool as in claim 17 wherein said foot is oriented at an angle greater than 90° to said leg to permit supporting and retaining a board as a walkway. 